The controversy around Hera Pheri 3 seems to gain momentum each day amid the ongoing legal battle between the makers, producer Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal. As Rawal exited the film midway, it not only disappointed fans, but he was also served a legal notice of Rs 25 crore for the damages caused due to his sudden exit. While the exact reason for Paresh Rawal’s exit was not known until now, a report by NDTV claims that there were more reasons than one.
Why did Paresh Rawal quit Hera Pheri 3?
According to the NDTV report, industry sources suggest that Rawal’s unease began with the absence of a finalised script or any formal narration regarding his character’s trajectory. Despite participating in a promotional shoot, which was touted as the grand reunion of the original trio comprising Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, and Rawal, the actor had reportedly not been provided with clarity on his role or screen time.
Though public announcements hinted that the production was ready, insiders claim that Hera Pheri 3 was far from having a finalised script at the time of the shoot. This ambiguity, sources say, made Rawal apprehensive about continuing with the project.
After Paresh Rawal leaving the film, matters escalated when Akshay Kumar’s production banner, Cape of Good Films, served the veteran actor with a legal notice demanding Rs 25 crore in damages. Akshay’s legal notice claims that Rawal accepted an Rs 11 lakh signing amount, committed to the film, and then exited, disrupting the production timeline and planning.
Rawal’s legal team, on the other hand, refuted these allegations, mentioning that no binding agreement was ever signed. “There was no contract, no script, and no narration,” said a source close to the actor. Rawal’s legal team mentioned that the signing amount was returned to the makers with 15% interest well before any legal correspondence from Akshay’s team. The suit, they argue, is “unfounded,” and emphasised that Rawal was within his rights to withdraw from a project that lacked formalisation.
Adding another layer to the turmoil is the ongoing battle over intellectual property rights associated with the Hera Pheri brand. Producer Firoz Nadiadwala, who launched the original 2000 film, is said to have reclaimed the franchise rights and reportedly cautioned actors and collaborators from associating with any unofficial sequels.
The NDTV report claims that it is believed that this legal uncertainty may have also contributed to Rawal’s reluctance.
Paresh Rawal has left OMG 2 in the past
It is also believed that the signs of tension between Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal began when Rawal was not seen in the sequel OMG 2 after starring in the original film. Akshay was the co-producer of OMG 2 as well.
Rawal also previously voiced concerns about the shift in the tone of Phir Hera Pheri in 2006, which moved away from the grounded wit of the original. According to close sources, this past experience made him wary and this is why he insisted on a clear script for Hera Pheri 3.
After Rawal’s exit, his co-star Suniel Shetty publicly expressed his shock. Director Priyadarshan too hinted that the chemistry between the original trip is not possible to recreate. With the creative and legal battles in full swing, the future of Hera Pheri 3 is uncertain.